"The amounts of oil are staggering. Who would have guessed that in just Colorado and Utah, there is more recoverable oil than in the Middle East?"

Here's the kicker...

The U.S. government already owns the land. It's been right there under our noses the whole time.

In fact, the government's appointed a small group of companies to lead the way to the oil.

Test drilling has already begun.

And the profit forecasts are ridiculous. According to the RAND Corporation (a public-policy think tank for the government), this small region could produce:

Three million barrels of oil per day... That translates into more than $20 BILLION a year.

These are the conservative estimates. The U.S. Energy Dept. estimates an eventual output of 10 million barrels of oil per day. At that rate, the money flow would be even greater.

I've written this letter to tell you everything I've learned about this rarely publicized oil reserve... who's drilling it... and how to get a piece of the world's biggest, untapped oil supply — before it's too late.

You knew this day was coming. It was only a matter of time before we would have to add automotive aerodynamics to our long list of technical rants. But this isn't what you think. Although we wince at triple-decker aluminum wings and ultra-wide, overducted body kits, we'd be the last to tell you that such alterations are not important. We don't have a problem with the spirit of these modifications; it's simply the execution that leaves so much to be desired.

But before we can get into that, it's important to understand the fundamentals. Although complicated and steeped in theory and equations, common sense and a basic understanding of the mechanics of airflow go a long way towards providing an understanding of how aerodynamic aids work and how to utilize them.

We all know a little about aerodynamics. Stick your hand out of the window of a moving car and you can immediately feel the effects of airflow-lifting your hand up or pushing it down, in addition to moving it backwards. Place your hand perfectly flat in the wind, parallel to the ground, and you should only feel your hand being tugged backwards a little. That tugging force is drag. As you increase the angle your hand makes to the oncoming wind, your hand is forced upwards. This is lift. Decreasing the angle of your hand from the flat position will cause the wind to force it down, hence the term downforce. In both situations, the effects of drag increase because the surface area exposed to the airflow increases.

As applied to cars, the broad logic of these concepts is pretty easy to understand. Generate enough lift and you can fly, which is about the last thing you want a car to do. Turning lift upside down, however, creates downforce, which race cars use to corner faster. But all of this comes at the cost of drag, just like in the hand experiment. The trick is to find that magic balance of getting the most downforce with the least amount of drag. Doing so requires digging a little deeper into aerodynamic theory.

The point of automotive aerodynamics is to shape a car so that it disturbs the air it moves through as little as possible. Literally, aerodynamics means the study of the forces acting on a body moving through air. In our case, the body happens to be a car and the forces will depend on many factors such as the shape and size of the car, in addition to some of the properties of air.

Engineers measure power in units such as watts (W) or horsepower (hp). Torque is measured in Newton-meters (Nm) or pound-feet (lb-ft). Aerodynamicists determine how well an object slices through the air by using coefficients, which differ from other measurements in that they lack units. This is because unitless coefficients allow for the comparison of cars of different sizes and shapes. For example, a Honda Civic is shorter and has a smaller frontal area than a Mack truck, but by using the coefficient of drag (CD) as a standard of measure, the aerodynamic efficiency between the two can be fairly evaluated. In addition to CD, other commonly used measures are the lift coefficient (CL), and side force coefficient (CY).

By now you might be wondering what all the fuss is all about. The hand-out-the-window example is useful for explaining the concepts of lift and downforce, but doesn't do justice to the negative aspects of poorly designed aerodynamics. Aerodynamic drag hurts performance. It is chiefly responsible for the top-speed limitation on any car since it takes exponentially more power to maintain higher speeds. For example, it takes almost five times more power to maintain your car at 100 mph than it does to drive it at 60 mph. More drag (a higher CD) magnifies this effect, negatively impacting top speed and fuel consumption by requiring the engine to do more work.

There are three primary ways to reduce drag. One is to reduce the frontal or cross-sectional area of the vehicle. Think of a car punching a hole in the atmosphere while in motion. Cars with less frontal area punch smaller holes, thus creating less disturbance. Of course, there are few things you can do to reduce frontal area on a car beyond taking off the side mirrors and running on skinny doughnut tires.

A better way to reduce a car's CD is to make it more streamlined. This happens at the design phase and involves implementing smooth curves on body panels, rounded lights, soft windshield-to-roof transitions, smooth A-pillar-to-side window treatment, and more.

The third method is a modification of streamlining and centers around using a flat or smooth tray under the car to allow air to escape with less drag. Without using an underbody tray, airflow beneath the car is highly turbulent, due to the clutter of mechanical bits like the exhaust system, driveshaft, fuel tank, shift linkage, and suspension. A smooth underbody also reduces lift by allowing the air to move faster and therefore at a lower pressure. The added stability from the reduced lift is why most supercars and race cars now have smooth underbellies. It's the most practical way to improve performance compared to reducing frontal area or streamlining the body.

Automotive Aerodynamics

Like drag, lift becomes a problem for cars at high speeds. Think about airplanes. To fly, airplanes have wings that generate a lifting force equal to or greater than their massive weight. A car body has a shape similar to that of an airplane wing, with a curved upper surface and a relatively flat underside. When moving, air going over the top of the car accelerates, while the air going under stays at approximately the same speed as the car. Given enough speed the car will lift like an airplane.

Bernoulli's principle states that faster air above the car has a lower static pressure than slower air below it, and so the car is literally being pushed upwards. The result is lift, a curse to almost all production cars. For example, the 1995 BMW M3 has a lift coefficient (CL) of about .34, which means that a lifting force of approximately 500 pounds is generated by the body at 100 mph.

Certain high-end sports cars have found ways to eliminate lift. The Ferrari F430 actually generates downforce to the tune of about 300 pounds at 124 mph and 616 pounds at 186 mph. This is due to a reduced cabin height, low ground clearance of the smooth underbody, and very effective diffusers. Surprisingly, the F430 doesn't use add-on downforce producers such as front splitters or rear wings. It's a testament to Ferrari's racing pedigree that they can achieve this level of downforce and still maintain a relatively low CD of .32.

The third aerodynamic factor to contend with is side force, which is similar to lift but acts upon the automobile from the side. Side force is often ignored on street cars, but for F1 and rally cars that experience yaw at high speeds, lift caused by air passing over and under the car from the side becomes a significant factor in handling and stability.

But why is lift so bad? You'd be right in assuming that no car produces such a dramatic amount of lift to be dangerous to drive. But lift does negatively affect performance in two ways. First, lift reduces the load acting on the tires. Since the maximum amount of traction available from each tire is a function of the load acting upon it, a reduced load means less available traction. Lift also causes extra drag called "induced drag," which is a good percentage of the overall drag on the car.

Now that we know a bit about the aerodynamic forces that act on moving vehicles and the coefficients that define them, it is helpful to understand how aerodynamicistis collect and use this information. Aerodynamics is an incredibly complex field. Even with the use of complicated equations, the effects of aerodynamic forces can only be determined for simple scenarios. For something as complex as a car with rolling wheels, vents, and spoilers, all on a moving roadway, aerodynamicists have to rely on two general methods.

One is a computer simulation method called Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). With CFD, computer algorithms approximately solve aerodynamic equations for a given car design and airflow velocity. Extracting usable data requires extremely powerful super-computers and accurately digitized three-dimensional car models. Most large car companies and top Formula 1 teams use CFD to understand how air moves around the various parts on the car and improve troublesome areas where the air is not flowing smoothly. Although expensive and time consuming, the CFD method allows for many virtual designs to be explored before time and money is spent building an actual prototype.

The other method is the wind tunnel testing. For this kind of simulation, a one-third to one-half scale model is usually made. Air is then blown over the stationary model, which is positioned on digital force-measuring transducers. These force transducers measure the drag, lift, and side forces acting on the model. These results are used to calculate the drag and lift coefficients that we referred to earlier.

With the data gathered from CFD simulations and wind tunnel testing, engineers sculpt modern production cars with blended sleek curves, gently sloping windshields, and smooth underbodies. As a result, these vehicles possess performance features only dreamed about just a few years ago. Some of the benefits include improved fuel economy, better high-speed handling and acceleration, enhanced airflow to the engine, and higher top speeds.

In the next installment of this series, we'll discuss ways to apply these basic concepts and improve handling using some of the available aftermarket products. We will focus on ways to improve performance by reducing drag and lift and generating usable downforce through the use of wings, splitters, air dams, canards, spoilers, and side skirts.

8.1.1894Piston ring manufacturer Allen Waller Morton is born in Richmond, VA8.1.1910New York state-issued license plates are introduced8.1.1915The Ford Motor Company announces that Model T sales for the previous twelve months were 308,213 units, and that they will honor their rebate offer by mailing $50 “Profit Sharing” checks to each buyer for a total payout of $15,410,6508.1.1919The 1920 Winton Model 24 and Model 25 are introduced, the marque’s first totally redesigned cars since 19168.1.1923Alexander Y. Malcomson, Treasurer 1903-1906 and a cofounder of the Ford Motor Company, dies in Ann Arbor, MI at age 58

AP | DETROIT: A historic deal that places Chrysler Group in the hands of private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP was expected to close Friday, according to a company official who asked not to be named because the deal was not yet completed.

The $7.4 billion (€5.4 billion) deal was announced in May. Under the terms, DaimlerChrysler AG will transfer an 80.1 percent stake in Chrysler to New York-based Cerberus. Daimler will retain a 19.9 percent interest in the company.

A message seeking comment was left for Cerberus spokesman Peter Duda.

Former Chrysler executive Wolfgang Bernhard, a senior adviser to Cerberus, will be named chairman of the automaker's board of directors. Chrysler Chief Executive Tom LaSorda will continue to run the company's day-to-day operations.

Although Bernhard has been seen frequently on Chrysler's headquarters campus, Cerberus Chairman John Snow has said Cerberus plans to keep the same management team in place and give it the freedom to implement its restructuring plan.

The closing was sidetracked last month when bankers marketing a $12 billion (€8.78 billion) Chrysler debt sale to major institutional investors ran into turmoil in the mortgage industry that weakened demand for leveraged loans and high-yield debt.

With no investor appetite, seven banks led by JPMorgan Chase & Co. had to keep most of the debt on their books. The banks will front about $10 billion (€7.3 billion) as a loan, while Cerberus and DaimlerChrysler will be on the hook to fund the other $2 billion (€1.46 billion).

Believe it or not, this mammoth state-of-the-art auto plant began as a tiny family-run business back in 1979.

GEORGE GAFFOGLIO: Pretty much a three-man operation -- my father, myself and my brother Ruben. We were taking old Ferraris, chopping the tops off and making them into convertibles.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: But in three decades, George Gaffoglio and his family have transformed Metalcrafters from chop-shop to champion car-customizer, helped in part by Chrysler, which chose the company early on to build various prototypes.

GEORGE GAFFOGLIO: A lot of those prototypes used to be built in Europe, and it was just kind of like we became the local guys.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: The local guys also found another niche -- servicing customers with special whims and needs. This guy (video shows NBA star Shaquille O’Neal), for instance, was just too tall for your average muscle car. So Metalcrafters made adjustments for him.

GEORGE GAFFOGLIO: We took this one Lamborghini Galardo and stretched it 12 inches.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: Now the Gaffoglio family business is a 180-person operation with celebrity clients to spare, every one of them looking for something new and unusual in automotive design.

JAY LENO, TONIGHT SHOW HOST/AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIAST: They started out as a small business and, as they got better, it grew. It's sort of the American dream, and that's why it's fun because their name is on the building.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: Jay Leno wanted an ecologically friendly car that runs on bio-diesel. He described his dream to Metalcrafters. They came up with the Eco Jet.

JAY LENO: It's a one-off design. It has a sort of a showcar Batman design look to it. It weighs about 2,400, 2,500 pounds and it has 750 horsepower. And, it’s bio-diesel so you're not wasting any fossil fuels.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: Positive buzz has made Metalcrafters the talk of Hollywood -- and the go-to place for moviemakers and advertisers in need of a car with that special look. This division of Metal Crafters, run by niece Shalinia, has prepped specialty vehicles for movies like Jurassic Park and eye-candy for auto commercials around the world.

GEORGE GOFOGGLIO: That's another fun part of our business too.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: The Gaffoglios are also doing more specialty work for Chrysler, turning out limited edition performance vehicles like the FOOSE. And they're diversifying into other fields, applying their automotive know-how to the manufacture of jet windshields.

GEORGE GOFOGGLIO: A lot of composite work for the vehicles carbon fiber, Kevlar stuff that comes from the race car world, then again it has great application for the aerospace.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: Will success spoil the Gaffoglios? Not a chance, says George. In fact he's working hard to keep the company under family control by hiring relatives for a half dozen key jobs.

GEORGE GOFOGGLIO: The trust and hard work that comes from family members is pretty hard to match.

CHRIS SCHAUBLE: Meanwhile, though hailed by industry friends and competitors as a visionary, George says he's never lost his perspective.

GEORGE GOFOGGLIO: Even in my case CEO you know I'm just still dad or still George.

KINGMAN - The state of Arizona, Mohave County, Kingman and a Lake Havasu City economic group are working together on an incentive package that could reach $500,000 to lure DaimlerChrysler to the Ford Proving Grounds in Yucca.

According to the Mohave County Board of Supervisors and Kingman City Council agendas for Monday, the Chrysler Group is interested in purchasing the 3,840-acre site. Representatives with the vehicle manufacture will go before both government groups Monday, DaimlerChrysler spokeswoman Mary Beth Halprin said.

"We hope to make a final decision within the next two quarters," Halprin said.

DaimlerChrysler currently runs a testing facility out of Wittmann, Ariz., which they sold in late 2005. Since then, the manufacturer has been leasing the facility and looking into various options for a future testing facility.

"I know it would be good news to the community if we did choose that site (in Yucca)," Halprin said.

Halprin said their main three options are to take over an existing outside facility, build a new facility or utilize their other existing facilities. No matter what decision they make, they have to vacate their current facility in Wittmann by mid-year 2008.

If DaimlerChrysler were to purchase the site, it would bring at least 75 jobs and spur the capital investment of approximately $10 million in new test facilities and infrastructure, Kingman Financial Services Director Coral Loyd stated in an agenda memo to Council.

Loyd added that if Ford Motor Company decided to close the site, the agreement would become null and void.

The Arizona Department of Commerce and Economic Development Commission will contribute up to $250,000 to the incentive, matching whatever the other parties contribute. It is the same amount they offered Ford to have them keep the Yucca site open in 2006.

In the event that none of the other local groups contributed, the CEDC is also offering to loan the county $250,000, which would be repaid over 10 years at a rate of 4.5 percent with no penalty for early payment.

Mohave County would contribute up to $150,000 to the incentive, the amount they offered Ford at the same time as the CEDC.

Kingman would contribute up to $60,000 and the Lake Havasu City Partnership for Economic Development would contribute up to $40,000, both of which are the same amount offered Ford last year.

The Lake Havasu City PED board of directors was going to decide on the contribution Tuesday at their retreat but lacked enough members for a quorum. Lake Havasu City PED President and CEO Gary Kellogg said he expects it to be approved by their Monday deadline.

Mohave County and Kingman have approval of the incentives on their Monday agendas. The staffs for the county and city have recommended approval.

Some agencies' participation is contingent upon others. If Kingman and the Lake Havasu City PED do not approve their parts, the Board of Supervisors won't participate and the CEDC will only match the amount from the local groups.

In a request for Board action from Mohave County Deputy Director of Economic Development Jonas Peterson, he stated that DaimlerChrysler is also considering their Chelsea, Mich., and Laredo, Texas, sites for hot weather testing. Peterson concurs with Loyd's estimate of the site creating at least 75 jobs and spurring $10 million in capital investment.

In May, Ford spokesman Said Deep told the Miner they may significantly scale back operations at the site or sell it to another company. The site has more than 50 miles of test roads and approximately 109,000 square feet of building area.

"Nothing is finalized," Deep said. "We're just talking with a potential bidder."

Ford reported a loss of $12.7 billion last year and continues to struggle to become a smaller, more streamlined manufacturer. They plan to eliminate more than 40,000 jobs and stop operations at 16 factories in North America by 2012.

<< - 12th consecutive month of sales increases - Chrysler is second highest selling manufacturer in Canada - Sales climb 2.6 per cent in July - Fuel efficient compact vehicles sales increase 25 per cent for month and 84 per cent for the year - Dodge Ram and Jeep(R) brand set new July sales records >>

WINDSOR, ON, Aug. 1 /CNW/ - Chrysler Canada sales increased 2.6 per centin July 2007 marking the company's 12th straight month of sales increases.Total sales for the month were 19,122 units compared to 18,642 units in 2006.On a year to date basis, the company has sold 142,359 vehicles versus 133,301last year for a 6.8 per cent increase, making it the number two seller of carsand trucks in Canada. "Canadian consumers are taking advantage of our diverse product lineupand compelling values resulting in 12 consecutive months of sales increases,"said Dave Buckingham, Vice President - Sales for Chrysler in Canada. "With thecontinuation of our Employee Price Discount and Save on Gas For One Full YearEvent, we fully expect the momentum to continue."

Sales Highlights

Total Jeep brand vehicle sales increased 68.4% for a new July monthlyhigh, driven by strong performance of Grand Cherokee, Compass, Patriot and thenew Wrangler. Dodge pickup trucks continue to be popular in Canada with DodgeRam sales increased 7.2% for a new July record and Dodge Dakota increased12.2%. New vehicles to the lineup had a major impact in July with added salescoming from Chrysler Sebring (1,170 units), Dodge Avenger (649 units), DodgeNitro (671 units).

CHICAGO, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Men's Health will expand its signatureevent, the Men's Health Urbanathlon(TM) & Festival, to Chicago this year onOctober 20, 2007. Previously only offered in New York, the unique raceconcept utilizes an urban "playing field" in which traditional raceelements are combined with obstacle course components in iconic citylandmarks. The day-long event will incorporate the race and a free festivalopen to the public. Athletes ready to tackle the streets and landmarks ofChicago can register now at http://menshealthurbanathlon.com. The race will begin at Butler Field in Grant Park with participantsrunning north and then east to the Lake Shore Bike Path. Heading north onthe Bike Path they will run the perimeter of Navy Pier on their way toNorth Avenue Beach where athletes will circle around and head back south enroute to Northerly Island. From there, they will dash to Soldier Field fora stair climb up and down the stands and then north to the finish at ButlerField. "Urban" obstacles will challenge racers at several points though therace, from culvert crawls to a scaffolding maze and more. The race isapproximately 12 miles long and can be executed as a solo or as a 3-personrelay. The race finishes with a day-long festival that features liveentertainment, health and wellness expos, interactive sports, concessions,sampling and demonstrations by a range of vendors. The Dodge brand renewed their sponsor status for both the New York andChicago events and will have the All-New 2008 Dodge Avenger serve asPresenting Sponsor (the All-New 2008 Dodge Avenger hit dealerships inSpring 2007). Additionally, ESQ SWISS will serve as the officialtime-keeping sponsor and Crocs will serve as the official casual footwearsponsor. Crunch Fitness is the event's national gym partner and will beoffering classes germane to the race. Additional sponsors are currentlybeing secured. The Men's Health Urbanathlon(TM) & Festival will make a contribution tothe Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), a national charity that empowersdisabled athletes around the world.

The “breakup” of Daimler-Benz and the Chrysler Group is nearly complete, with Chrysler’s new owner, Cerberus Capital Management, due to ink the deal any day now. But like a married couple that’s amicably split, the two companies will continue to “get along” -- continuing with many technical, manufacturing and development ventures neither company is seeking to put asunder.

For one, Chrysler will stay connected in an under-the-hood venture with Daimler and other entities because of the capital-intensive nature of developing new powertrain technologies for global use. Chrysler said recently will spend upward of $3 billion on new, efficiency-enhancing powertrain initiatives over the next several years.

One other reason Chrysler and Daimler will maintain amicable post-breakup relations: the oft-overlooked detail that Daimler will hold a 19.9-percent equity interest in the new Cerberus-owned Chrysler, legally known as Chrysler Holding LLC.

Bob Lee, Chrysler Group’s vice president of the Powertrain Product Team, said in an interview with AutoObserver that Chrysler will continue to work with Daimler –- and other automakers –- now that Chrysler is going it alone under the aegis of its new owner.

“We will have ongoing relationships in a number of areas,” said Lee, who supervises all design, development and release of the Chrysler Group’s powertrains.

He said the various powertrain-related ventures Chrysler will continue with Daimler other automakers –- even direct rivals –- “were set up because they are good business arrangements.”

The powertrain and its related components still account for the single largest capital investment most automakers retain in vehicle development.

Lee said one hot button for the U.S. market, a potential onrush of fuel-stingy, performance-rich new-generation diesel engines, is an example of how the New Chrysler will continue with its existing diesel-engine ventures with other automakers and suppliers to optimize the deployment strategy for diesel in the U.S. Currently, Chrysler itself does not make any diesel engines.

“At this point, we have a somewhat divergent diesel supply base,” said Lee, adding that the variety will enable Chrysler to pick and choose its opportunities for diesel power in the U.S.

He said Chrysler currently is using diesel engines manufactured by no less than four distinct entities:

• Cummins Inc., which produces the well-regarded 6.7-liter, inline six-cylinder diesels for medium- and heavy-duty versions of the Ram pickup sold in the U.S. Cummins reputedly is working on a diesel for Chrysler light vehicles.

• Volkswagen AG, which supplies four-cylinder diesels for Dodge Nitro and Caliber models in Europe. Chrysler will be installing VW diesels in VW-badged variants of Chrysler’s new-generation minivans next year.

• VM Motori S.p.A, which makes the 2.5- and 2.8-liter V-6 diesels that power European variants of the Chrysler Voyager minivan and Jeep Cherokee (Liberty) and Wrangler.

• Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz unit, which developed and manufactures the 3.0-liter V6 diesel Chrysler launched this year for the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the U.S. The same engine also is used in Chrysler’s strong-selling Sprinter commercial vans, and the company recently said it is studying expanding this engine’s applications into other Chrysler vehicles.

As the pressure ratchets up to quickly deploy fuel-saving and emissions-reducing powertrain technology such as diesels in the U.S., Lee said continuing these ventures makes strong business sense because all of the diesel-powered models currently not available in the U.S. are variants of vehicles Chrysler already sells here. That minimizes the time and engineering and development investment necessary to offer these diesel-powered models Stateside.

“A European diesel has a huge percentage of the work done,” Lee said, to make an easy transition to vehicles in the U.S. market. Lee said Chrysler has about 17 diesel-powered models sold worldwide.

Much the same is true for hybrid technology, said Lee, as well as the advanced dual-clutch transmission Chrysler recently announced it will build and operate in a joint-venture collaboration with Europe-based transmission specialist Getrag Corporate Group.

With hybrids, Lee said Chrysler will continue a joint-development venture with General Motors and BMW for the well-publicized “2-mode” hybrid system that first will be deployed in Chrysler’s Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid early next year, after it is introduced in the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon this fall.

Lee said the 2-mode hybrid transmission venture –- originally signed in fall 2005 by DaimlerChrysler –- encompasses future developments beyond the 2-mode hybrid system for SUVs. It will include front-drive vehicles and passenger cars, and the new Cerberus-led Chrysler will carry on with that development venture.

The entire structure of the hybrid venture is built around developing three distinct versions of the 2-mode system, Lee said, and as such, Chrysler fully plans to continue to collaborate with GM and BMW to bring those technologies to market –- both in the U.S. and elsewhere.

They also have another body kit that doen't look half bad. This started life off as a 300 base model. They put the K2 LED's on the rear. I don't know if they made some sort of custom harness or tied them into the front turn signals.

Aurora police add station wagon to squad car fleet

If you're driving in Aurora and see a station wagon pulling you over, don't be confused.

The first of the Aurora Police Department's new Dodge Magnum squad cars hit the street last week on the city's far East Side.

Police Chief Bill Powell saw the vehicles at a National Police Convention last year and the department ordered three -- the first Dodge cars in the Aurora fleet since the 1970s.

The 2007 Dodge Magnum looks like a sporty station wagon, although it's painted like a regular black-and-white squad car. The extra trunk space will accommodate the huge amount of equipment -- police tape, riot gear, river rescue ropes, evidence cones, first aid gear, fire extinguishers and more -- officers regularly drive around with in their car.

City of Aurora equipment technician Tim Hoehn spent the past three weeks adding lights, onboard computers and other police perks to the car.

The three new squads won't haul prisoners, although they could later be adapted for that use.

For now, they'll serve as sergeants' cars and, if they work well, police might consider adding a few as regular patrol cars.

The Aurora police now have more than 100 marked squad cars and about 125 total vehicles in the fleet, but Powell promises the newest additions are just as effective as the traditional squads -- and still cool.

"You would never catch me in a station wagon," Powell, a self-proclaimed "car geek," said, "but I would buy this car. This is a cool car."

In real-world driving conditions, diesel vehicles outperform the mileage numbers on their window stickers. So says the EPA in a lengthy report titled “YourMPG” released earlier this week. The Diesel Technology Forum poured over all the details and noted that diesels outperform the label by 4.3 percent. Mileage numbers on sales stickers have been under fire because they don’t live up to real-world expectations. But in the limited U.S. diesel market, the performance matches the tests. Some diesel products with EPA mileage numbers include the VW Golf, Jeep Liberty and Mercedes-Benz E320cdi. Heavy-duty pickups in the 3/4- and 1-ton classes aren’t required to post mileage numbers. This good news should help automakers market the new diesels planned for U.S. consumers.

Sales jeopardize 173 dealershipsDonna Harris and Bradford WernleAutomotive News Chrysler group dealers and their lawyers are girding for a fight over the company's threat to yank the franchises of 173 dealerships because of poor sales.

A letter this month by J.W. Dimond, Chrysler's national dealer placement manager, said dealers could lose their franchises if they do not meet their "minimum sales responsibility" within 180 days.

Most state franchise laws require automakers to give dealers 180 days to correct performance issues before franchises can be terminated.

The minimum sales responsibility is a monthly sales target that Chrysler sets for each dealership. Chrysler uses several factors, such as area population and the proximity of other dealerships, to calculate a dealership's sales goal.

Many dealers say those targets often are arbitrary and ignore local market conditions. Leo Jerome, a Chrysler-Jeep dealer in Lansing, Mich., said Chrysler doesn't fairly measure his market, which includes two General Motors assembly plants.

Most vehicle sales in the market are to GM employees, and "Chrysler doesn't take that as a factor," Jerome says.

"There is an overabundance of Chevrolet dealers for the size of the community, Jerome says. "The manufacturer has to come out of its ivory tower and pay attention to what happens in the market."

Chrysler vs. dealersThis year, the Chrysler group has threatened

To pull the franchises of 173 dealerships if they don't improve sales in 6 months

To bar about 470 dealers from factory used-car auctions if they miss sales goals

Cerberus not involved

The termination letters affect more than 4 percent of Chrysler's 3,700 U.S. dealerships. Chrysler seeks to reduce its retail network, largely by consolidating Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge franchises under the same dealership roof.

Steven Landry, Chrysler's executive vice president of NAFTA sales, global marketing, service and parts, told reporters last week: "We're not going after any dealers to get rid of them .... We'd like them to improve their performance."

Chrysler spokeswoman Lori McTavish said the company will work with the dealers to help them meet sales goals.

Chrysler officials said the threat did not originate with Cerberus Capital Management LP. The private equity company is expected to close as early as this week on its $7.4 billion deal to buy 80.1 percent of the Chrysler group from DaimlerChrysler.

No used cars

This is the second time this year that monthly sales goals have become an issue between Chrysler and its dealers.

In April, Chrysler warned about 470 dealers they would be banned from attending closed factory used-vehicle auctions, effective July 10, if they did not reach 50 percent of their sales goals.

Chrysler says the two lists of dealers are not related.

Jim Moors, a franchise lawyer for the National Automobile Dealers Association, says "Chrysler is acting on its rights" under its franchise agreement with dealers.

"Dealers need to take this very seriously," Moors told Automotive News. "They need to address the issues Chrysler has raised with them. They may want to challenge the accuracy of the sales performance criteria."

Chuck Eddy, a Chrysler group dealer in Austintown, Ohio, and Chrysler representative to NADA, said underperforming dealers shouldn't have been surprised by the letter. "The guys who aren't performing -- they had to know they were going to be asked to step up," Eddy said.

State dealer associations contacted by Automotive News said they have gotten few, if any, complaints from dealers about the letter. Several association executives said it was premature to expect a big response from dealers.

But a Michigan dealer who got the termination letter called Chrysler's threat "pretty ruthless and pretty underhanded." Chrysler executives "don't care about dealer profitability," said the dealer, who asked not to be identified. "They want to squeeze out as many dealers as they can."

Mike Charapp, a lawyer in suburban Washington who works with the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association, called Chrysler's sales targets "completely unrealistic."

"Its calculations don't take into account issues relating to brand preference and demographics of the market," Charapp said.

At oddsThe Chrysler group is battling with some dealers over minimum sales responsibility, Chrysler's estimate of how many vehicles a dealership should sell in its market.What Chrysler says: "Minimum sales responsibility is determined by the review of actual sales results and how that number matches the total dealer body's performance in a certain market or region. All dealers agree to meet the minimum sales responsibility of 100 percent in their market. That means they commit to perform on the same level as the average of their peers in that market."What critics say: Dealer lawyer Eric Chase compares the Chrysler requirement with the observation by Garrison Keillor, host of "A Prairie Home Companion," that all children in Lake Wobegon are above average. "How could all 100 percent of the dealers be average?" Chase says. "It's absurd. It's ridiculous."

Blue Oval redux

Eric Chase, a dealer lawyer in Florham Park, N.J., said the form letter Chrysler sent to dealers was "a blunderbuss statement."

"This is going to be similar to the reaction you got with (Ford's) Blue Oval," Chase said. "The dealers will be very upset. It affects all of them. Who's next?"

Some Ford dealers sued to challenge Blue Oval, the dealer certification program Ford Motor Co. introduced in 2000. The dealers claimed the program created unfair systems of bonuses. Although the program continues, Ford stopped tying the bonuses to certification in 2005.

Loula Fuller, a dealer lawyer in Tallahassee, Fla., said the real issue in the Chrysler dispute appears to be the company's desire to slash its dealership network, not subpar sales at individual dealerships.

"Any time a manufacturer takes on a full-scale-war approach, there is something behind it -- and it's not poor sales," Fuller said. "It's costs."

Nelson Axelrod, a Chrysler group dealer in Wadsworth, Ohio, is among the dealers banned from Chrysler factory auctions. He hasn't gotten the termination letter.

But in response to statements by Chrysler officials that they do not plan to send letters to additional dealers, Axelrod said: "I don't believe that for one second."

"There's no question in my mind as to what the program is," Axelrod added. "This is the first stage. Whether I'm two years out or whatever, the writing is on the wall."

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The Detroit News reports today, on the eve of the final sale papers being signed for Chrysler, that Wolfgang Bernhard, the former Chrysler COO and reportedly soon-to-be chairman of the New Chrysler, had the final say on the future of the Chrysler Imperial concept.

The large luxury sedan, unveiled as a concept car at the Detroit auto show in 2006 and set to go into production as a 2009 model, was reportedly scrapped in July as inappropriate in this era of likely stiffer fuel economy and emissions standards.

In gripping detail, the newspaper reports how Bernhard had the final say in the death of the Imperial, providing a glimpse into how Chrysler will operate under ownership of private equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management, which could become official as early as Friday.

The Detroit News writes:

“Business plans had been written, and Chrysler Group executives had debated for months whether to build the flagship luxury sedan.

“But it would be up to Wolfgang Bernhard to ultimately approve or kill the Chrysler Imperial.

“In mid-July, the incoming chairman of Chrysler made his call in dramatic fashion at a final product review, according to people familiar with the event. "That car," Bernhard said, "will never see the light of day."

The newspaper declares this anecdote –- and Bernhard’s swift decision -- is a preview of how Chrysler will be run by private equity firm, Cerberus Capital Management.

The paper predicts Chrysler “is expected to move quickly and forcefully to turn around its sagging domestic operations and grow its international business.” The Detroit News reports it has learned that the future of the New Chrysler includes the possibility of an expanded alliance with Hyundai and a deal to build cars in Russia.

Indeed, as the paper declares, this is the deal of the decade in the global auto industry and the beginning of a new era for Chrysler and the industry. That era could start tomorrow if all of the details are finalized.

¡Hola! Friday night is Hispanic Heritage Night at the Olde Towne Market when we honor our friends to the south.

Our attendance each Friday continues to grow. Thank you to all of you who attend to support this event.

There will be lively music provided by the Mariachi Lobo Band. These 11 musicians are awesome! You won't hear a better mariachi band anywhere. The mariachis will perform at 5:30 p.m. We promise some spectacular entertainment.

Our food vendors continue to increase. Last week, we added Philippine food and fish and chips.

Last week, I tried the Knights of Columbus' hamburger and the firefighters' cheesecake. Both were wonderful and very reasonable in price - only $1 for the dessert and they have a variety of offerings. I will definitely try them again before we close for the season.

If you would like to schedule a food booth, call the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce at 736-4567 and you will get all the information you need plus help meeting Health Department requirements.

Local vendors and organizations are on hand to discuss their programs and display their merchandise. There is a variety of jewelry, candles, beauty products and crafts. Come on down and check them out.

Lompoc will enter America in Bloom in 2009 when we showcase our community. Be sure to stop by the America in Bloom kiosk and view the video describing the program. Sign up for the plant drawing; a drawing is held every hour for a beautiful plant.

We continue to offer events for the kids. Jan the Clown is always there to entertain the young ones with her antics and, of course, the Bounce House continues to be one of the favorites.

This week, the Vandenberg Village Calvary Baptist Church Youth Ministry Group will do some creative face painting. Come down, kids, and get your faces painted.

California Dodge Chrysler and Jeep, Union Bank of California and Compacts continue to be our generous sponsors. We couldn't offer this event without their support. Be sure and visit them and thank them.

We would also like to thank Street Superintendent Joe Orsua and the Lompoc Street Department crew for all of their assistance in providing for the street closures. They are tremendous. It is a privilege to work with someone like Joe, who is so cooperative and community-minded.

We also express our appreciation to Jeremy Conley and his crew from New Life Christian Academy for the cleanup service following each Friday's event. They do a great job keeping the area neat and clean.

Next week's theme is Community Services and Health and Wellness. We will also hold the annual bed races.

This year we have discontinued the bed race entry fee, and the winner of the fastest race time will receive $100 to be paid to their favorite nonprofit charity.

Awards will be given to the most humorous entry and the entry best depicting the bed race theme, “Proud to be an American.”

Call the chamber and reserve your bed frame. There is a limited supply - only eight - so call early. If you want to manufacture your own bed, the chamber has specifications. Race starts at 6 p.m. in the 200 block of South H Street.

If you haven't attended the OTM, time is running out; only five more Fridays before we close for the season. Plan to attend, I guarantee you will savor the food, enjoy the entertainment and meet new and old friends.

Financial headlines

The deal by DaimlerChrysler AG to sell 80.1% of Chrysler Group to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management is expected to wrap up on Friday, several people familiar with the process said.

The timeline is tentative, the people noted, because of the fragility of finalizing the details, which can get hung up on legal technicalities.

A Chrysler spokesman declined to comment. A spokesman for Cerberus would only say that the deal is on schedule to close in the third quarter.

Chrysler officials in Auburn Hills had hoped the deal would close early this week with a celebration at the headquarters on Wednesday.

Teams to build vehicles that get 100 m.p.g.

A competition to design, build and race concept vehicles capable of achieving 100 miles to the gallon has commitments from 31 teams and plans to launch in 2009.

The Automotive X Prize will be overseen by the X Prize Foundation, which has run similar contests for private space vehicles and genetic research. Those contests awarded $10 million to the winners; the foundation has not set an amount for the 100-m.p.g. challenge.

The teams -- which include one Michigan group -- must design a vehicle that could be mass produced for everyday use and can use any propulsion system.

ROCKFORD — In a down month for the entire auto industry, there was very little good news to report from Wednesday’s release of July auto sales in the U.S.

But there were a few bright spots in our region. The Chevy Suburban, which is made by General Motors workers at plants in Janesville, Wis., and Texas, had sales 12.6 percent higher than July 2006. And the Jeep Compass, made exclusively by Chrysler workers at the Belvidere assembly plant, saw its sales jump 266 percent year over year.

The other five vehicles made in Belvidere and Janesville suffered large declines, and even the Compass’ numbers weren’t as positive upon further inspection.The auto industry as a whole took a beating thanks to continuing high gas prices and the credit crunch in the banking industry because of record high foreclosures in the housing market. In total, dealers sold 1.3 million new vehicles in July compared with 1.5 million last July.

Erich Merkle, vice president of forecasting for auto consulting company IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich., said consumers simply have less money to buy cars.

“You’ve got a consumer right now that’s really being stretched,” Merkle said. “In many cases debt levels are incredibly high to the point where you’re seeing a lot of foreclosures.”

Still, the declines in the sales of some of the local cars were somewhat shocking. Sales of the Belvidere-built Dodge Caliber tumbled to 5,305, less than half of what dealers sold in June and the second-lowest monthly total since it hit U.S. dealer lots in February 2006.

The Jeep Patriot, which just went into circulation this January, saw sales fall nearly 40 percent from June to 3,317. The Compass’ meteoric rise was a statistical anomaly. Dealers sold 2,591 of them in July compared with 707 last July, its first month in the marketplace. The July 2007 total was actually the third-lowest in the Compass’ 13 months of availability.

All three of the Belvidere-built vehicles are capable of getting 30 mpg under the right conditions and should thrive when gas prices soar. Still, Chrysler officials said they were happy with the results.

“The whole market was way off in July, and the customer has so many more choices now,” Darrell Jackson, Chrysler’s vice president of U.S. sales, said in a conference call. “Look at it versus last year, we have six different options (in the fuel-efficient market), and the (Dodge) Avenger is in there as well.”

More than 3,800 people work at Chrysler’s Belvidere assembly plant. It is the largest manufacturing operation in the Rock River Valley.

Of the Janesville-made products, the Suburban clearly had the best month with 8,243 of the full-size SUV sold this July compared with 5,546 sold in 2006.

“It’s still the best family-type SUV on the market, and with the flexible fuel E85 versions now the new models are capable of getting 20 to 22 miles per gallon,” said Joe Luy, commercial manager for Lou Bachrodt Auto Mall, which sells Chevrolet along with Jeep, Volkswagen and BMW.

“When gas got up to $3.50 a gallon, it was tough on the Suburban, but it’s always been a mainstay for us. People who own Suburbans stay with them.”

The 2007 Suburbans were redesigned with a more aerodynamic shape and less drag than previous models. For the year, GM dealers have sold 46,801 Suburbans compared with 41,572 through July of last year, a 12.6 increase for the vehicle that dates back to 1935.

Sales of the other big SUVs made in Janesville, the GMC Tahoe, Yukon and Yukon XL, didn’t fare nearly as well. Tahoe sales fell 11.6 percent, and the Yukon and Yukon XL were down 11.7 percent.

About 3,000 people work at GM’s Janesville assembly plant, which has been in operation since 1919 and is the company’s oldest.

DETROIT NEWS.COM | AUBURN HILLS -- The concept car had been shown publicly and critiqued internally. Business plans had been written, and Chrysler Group executives had debated for months whether to build the flagship luxury sedan.

But it would be up to Wolfgang Bernhard to ultimately approve or kill the Chrysler Imperial.

In mid-July, the incoming chairman of Chrysler made his call in dramatic fashion at a final product review, according to people familiar with the event.

"That car," Bernhard said, "will never see the light of day."

His swift decision is a preview of how Chrysler will operate under Cerberus Capital Management, the secretive private-equity giant that will soon complete its $7.4 billion buyout of the No. 3 U.S. automaker.

With Cerberus exec Bernhard as its hands-on chairman, Chrysler is expected to move quickly and forcefully to turn around its sagging domestic operations and grow its international business.

Cerberus is expected to close on its acquisition of Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler AG as soon as Friday, according to people close to the process.

It's the deal of the decade in the global auto industry and the beginning of a new era for Chrysler, the smallest of Detroit's struggling Big Three automakers.

Big changes are in store for the new Chrysler, including the possibility of an expanded alliance with Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co. and a deal to build cars in Russia, The Detroit News has learned.

But overseas projects and U.S. product moves are only part of the transformation awaiting Chrysler, which lost $680 million in 2006.

After nine years as a division of a domineering German parent company, Chrysler will get a much-needed fresh start as the prized possession of Cerberus.

'We bring a fresh set of eyes'

Led by its hard-driving founder Stephen Feinberg, the New York-based private-equity firm owns more than 50 companies and applies cutting-edge business techniques to its corporate turnarounds.

"We are a lot more than a financing company," said John Snow, Cerberus chairman and a former U.S. Treasury Secretary. "We bring a fresh set of eyes that looks at a company's problems from another vantage point."

Since agreeing to buy Chrysler in May, Cerberus has sent squads of financial and management experts to Auburn Hills to assess the company's strengths and weaknesses.

Bernhard, Chrysler's chief operating officer from 2000-04, has swept through the organization like a whirlwind -- poring over product plans, brainstorming with executives, checking on even routine events like press previews for the minivan launch.

The level of oversight by Cerberus might surprise outsiders who expect the firm to stay in the background at Chrysler, said one private-equity expert.

"A lot of people think private equity is just all about financing, and it's not," said David Brophy, director of the Office for the Study of Private Equity at the University of Michigan.

Brophy said the bulk of Cerberus' attention will focus on Chrysler's core activities -- purchasing, manufacturing, product development and sales and marketing.

Sources close to the situation said Cerberus insisted that detailed performance goals for Chrysler and its executives be written into the buyout deal.

"The trademark of private equity is to set high goals for a company where it's not doing well," Brophy said. "With Chrysler, you've got to turn your attention to making cars that customers want."

Chrysler slipped behind Toyota Motor Corp. to fourth place in U.S. sales last year, and seems stuck at a 13 percent share of the market.

This year, Chrysler's U.S. sales are down about 2 percent through July.

A new minivan model this fall should boost sales, but Chrysler's longer-term challenge is to differentiate its products and brands from rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

"They need to really decide who they want to be, and make sure the product line supports that," said Wes Brown, a California-based automotive brand consultant.

People close to Chrysler also said the retro-styled PT Cruiser will go out of production when its current model ends in 2009.

The resurgence of Chrysler's lineup will depend on the success of restyled versions of bellwether models such as the 300C sedan and Ram pickup, as well as all-new products, such as the Dodge Challenger muscle car and a crossover vehicle slated for production in Mexico.

"They need to recapture their spark," said George Peterson, president of the consulting firm AutoPacific in Tustin, Calif.

"They need to pay more attention to the interiors of their vehicles, and just do a lot of the product stuff better."

While CEO Tom LaSorda will continue to lead Chrysler's executive team, analysts expect Bernhard to drive most of the changes on the product side.

A charismatic leader with experience at Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Volkswagen, Bernhard is known as both a champion of edgy designs and a disciplinarian on costs.

"Wolfgang will be good for the product because that's his skill," said Dennis Pawley, who headed Chrysler's manufacturing operations in the 1990s. "If they can successfully execute the right products, they've got a chance."

Chrysler looks abroad

Under Cerberus, Chrysler will also be pushing harder to build its international presence.

The automaker is committed to launching eight new vehicles outside of North America this year, but other moves appear to be in the works.

People close to the company said Chrysler is in discussions with Hyundai to expand ties beyond their three-way alliance to build engines with Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

A Hyundai source said "the door is always open to new talks on new proposals," but declined to specify potential areas of cooperation with Chrysler.

Chrysler already has cut a deal to purchase Chinese-made small cars for sale in the U.S., and is working on a partnership with a Russian automaker, according to a person familiar with the plans.

Extending its global reach is critical for a company that sells about 90 percent of its overall volume in North America.

"You can't gain the scale you need just from a regional perspective," said a consultant to Chrysler, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "You need to look outside North America."

Chrysler is also gearing up to purchase more components in low-wage nations in Asia. The effort began before DaimlerChrysler put the U.S. automaker up for sale in February, but has intensified since Cerberus agreed to acquire it.

In fact, Chrysler insiders said the Cerberus deal has been like a shot of adrenaline throughout the entire organization. "Things are moving very, very fast here," one Chrysler official said.

Cerberus has kept its specific plans for Chrysler close to the vest. Feinberg declines all interview requests, and Cerberus officials speak only in the most general terms when discussing their corporate holdings.

"Our job is to ask the difficult questions and to create an environment where management teams can succeed," Snow said in an interview in Detroit last month.

The tone is set, however, by Feinberg, the reclusive financier who masterminded the buyout.

'They need to deliver'

Operating out of a suite of offices on the 22nd floor of a Park Avenue skyscraper, Feinberg runs a lean organization with fewer than 200 full-time executives.

"There's very little bureaucracy at Cerberus," said one former executive of the company, who asked not to be identified. "Things go right to the top at Cerberus, and Steve is known for making decisions on the spot."

Executives at Cerberus-owned companies are given performance targets, and are said to have an unusual amount of autonomy to achieve the goals.

"He gives each management team a chance to deliver the goods," said the former Cerberus executive. "But they need to deliver."

People close to Chrysler said LaSorda has made several trips to Cerberus's New York offices in recent weeks. Chrysler insiders said Feinberg already has a deep understanding of the company's inner workings.

"This is a guy who never asks a question he doesn't already seem to know the answer to," said one Chrysler official. "He really does his homework."

People familiar with the Cerberus buyout said that LaSorda and other senior Chrysler executives stand to earn huge cash bonuses if they achieve performance targets.

Unlike a publicly traded company, Chrysler will not have to disclose its compensation plans.

"The newspapers were full of pictures of the big smile on Tom LaSorda's face after the deal, and that's because there's a big payoff if Chrysler succeeds," said Brophy of U-M.

But with Cerberus looking at perhaps a five-year time frame to return profits to its own investors, Chrysler can't afford to get off to a slow start.

"The key to private-equity deals is to get a return on the investment in a relatively short period of time," Brophy said. "If the limit is five years, well, there's not a lot of room for mistakes."

arent company the Chrysler Group might be right in the middle of a change of ownership, but the Dodge brand just keeps on growing. This year alone, its model range is doubling from two to four models, with the Nitro 4x4 and Avenger saloon going on sale; in 2008 we’ll see two further new models, the brand’s first supermini, and this, a seven-seat crossover called the Crew.

These pictures provide our first proper look at Dodge’s new model; our spies were lucky enough to take them just moments after the car’s driver removed much of its disguise. Check out the full range of snaps in our gallery and you’ll see the car’s signature Dodge crosshair grille, but also the raised ride height and ‘H point’ (both typical of a 4x4), and the estate-like extended rear glasshouse (an MPV cue).

So is it a 4x4 or is it an MPV?

Well, it’s both. The Crew will be built at Chrysler’s Toluca plant in Mexico, and shares its platform with the Avenger and Sebring saloons. That means that it’s ostensibly a car, rather than an old-school 4x4, underneath. However, as you can see, it’ll have a higher ride height than most conventional MPVs, and will be offered with all-wheel drive as an option.

The Crew’s engine range is likely to be identical to that of the Avenger, which means a choice of 154bhp 2.0-litre petrol, 170bhp 2.4-litre petrol and 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel motors.

Although the disguise conspires with the tinted windows of this mule car to prevent you seeing inside, company insiders suggest the car will be a proper seven-seater, whose second and third row of seats fold to provide extra cargo storage.

That will make the Crew a natural rival for the Mitsubishi Outlander, Peugeot 4007, Citroen C-Crosser and Hyundai Santa Fe.

How much and when?

Value for money is something that Dodge is building its brand on, and that being the case, we’d expect the Crew range to start well below £20,000, rising to around £23k for the all-wheel drive petrol range-topper.

It’ll go on sale in early 2008, and for those of us keen to get an early look at the car, it’ll be shown for the first time at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Automaker has a reputation for building vehicles that push the design envelope

TONY WHITNEY, CanWest News Service

Published: Monday, July 30

Just about all automakers build concepts to test public reaction, try out new styling and engineering ideas, evaluate new types of powertrains or just plain have fun with a show car that will never see an assembly line.

On the auto show circuit each year, Chrysler, Ford and GM vie for attention with their concepts and, predictably, the European and Asian nameplates are well in step with their own offerings.

The people at Chrysler Group have chosen to mark 20 years of concept-building during 2007, though of course, concept cars go back many decades before the late 1980s.

Chrysler has developed an amazing reputation for going ahead with concepts and at every auto show, one never quite knows whether a styling exercise that looks too radical to build will end up on the showroom floor.

The company regards its concepts as one of its key strengths, and there aren't too many people around the industry who would argue.

Chrysler points out that even if a specific concept vehicle doesn't go into production, its design and engineering features might be incorporated into future models.

According to Chrysler, the modern era began when it revealed its Portofino cab forward concept sedan (complete with Lamborghini engine) at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1987.

Few of us who were there at the time realized we were looking at what would become the company's future large sedan range, sold with great success under various nameplates including Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth and Eagle.

Since 1988, Chrysler has created more than 100 concept vehicles in every imaginable shape, size, configuration and material. Highlights that made it to the dealer lots include the Dodge Viper RT/10 (1989), the Dodge Neon (1991), the Plymouth Prowler (1993), the Dodge Viper GTS Coupe (1994), the Jeep Commander (1999), the PT Cruiser (2000), the Chrysler Crossfire (2001), the Chrysler Pacifica (2002), the Jeep Compass (2005), the Dodge Avenger (2006) and many others.

I'd love to have seen Chrysler build the wonderful Bugatti-inspired Atlantic of 1995 and the amazing and opulent Chrysler Phaeton of 1996, but I guess we can't have everything, and the automaker has, after all, delivered so much else from its stable of concepts.

In 1989, the company showed eight concepts at auto shows around the world, and in 2000, an impressive 10 were revealed. This past show season, Chrysler showed fewer concepts than usual, but perhaps the corporation is busy with some blockbusters for 2008.

Says Chrysler design guru Trevor Creed (who once told me that his dream vehicle was the Dodge Power Wagon of 1999): "We've always said at Chrysler that we don't just produce concepts for fun. We have proved year after year that our concepts are innovative and relevant."

It's interesting to ponder what happens to these wonderful flights of fancy after they've had their weeks of glory on the auto show circuit.

Some end up in the company museum, if one exists, but all too many are stored away somewhere in a corner of the design department to gather dust until somebody realizes their historic significance and brings them back to life

I once visited a major North American design operation where there were dozens of long-forgotten concept vehicles stored in a warehouse - some of them going back to the 1950s. It costs millions to build some of these concept vehicles - especially if they have innovative drivetrains that actually work.

The lessons learned during the concept design and building process often prepare the ground for all kinds of ideas that help make today's vehicles what they are. It's rarely money wasted, even if the original concept does have a limited life and, ultimately, all vehicle buyers benefit.

Jeep Wrangler is one of the most successful and popular auto models made by any car manufacturing company ever. There are dozens of sites committed to Jeep Wrangler on the Internet, but today I would like to tell you about thejeepwrnagler.com. I consider the site to be one of the most reliable sources that contain sufficient information about the past, present and future of the car.

The first thing that is peculiar about the page is its style of describing the car. You won’t find advertising logos, poor slogans offering to buy the car. Instead of this you’ll be able to find much useful information about the car, its history, many rare technical details etc.

Jeep Wrangler speaks about the most general features of the car: its exterior, engine line, color variants, rim choice, special electronic systems, additional options and pricing.

Moreover, the site features Wrangler X and Rubicon review. This very page of the site speaks about the three trims available for Jeep Wrangler fans:

Jeep Wrangler X

Jeep Wrangler Sahara

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Each trim level adds special off-road features such as heavy-duty axles, extra-long gearing etc. The page also speaks about the availability of 2 body types for each trim level: short-wheelbase (2-door variant) and long-wheelbase (4 doors).

Another page of the site is dedicated to Jeep Wrangler history which starts in 1987. The site emphasizes the fact that Jeep being quite an old vehicle, remains one of the most popular Chrysler models due to its brilliant shape and perfect performance. The site mentions all the generations of the car: 1987 YJ, 1987-1995 YK, 1997-2006 TJ and the latest version under the name KJ.

Eventually the page clues the secret of the car’s vitality. It says that Jeep Wrangler has always been so popular, because when the needs of the consumer change, the car changes as well. While being a strictly off-road vehicle in the past, it is no longer so for Jeep Wrangler. At the moment the car can be thought of a family car because of its diversity, spacious interior and safety figures.

7.30.1903The Packard K. Special race car is given its first road test in Warren, OH7.30.1927The 1928 Chandlers, featuring 25 different models, are introduced by Frederick C. Chandler7.30.1944Racer Gerry Birrell is born in Glasgow, Scotland7.30.1981Racer Bud Tingelstad dies in Indianapolis, IN at age 53

Since the new 2007 Mitsubishi Lancer is coming soon, I decided to dig up some details on the new GEMA engine under the hood. The previous Lancer that is on sale on our market now uses the all-familiar 1.6 liter 4G18 engine, similar to the one that we used to find under the hood of our Proton Waja, with one of the few minor difference is that the Waja uses a 4-speed auto while the Lancer uses a CVT.

The new 2007 Lancer has it’s engine upped to 2.0 liter, putting it head to head with the Civic 2.0. The new GEMA engine is a joint venture project between DaimlerChrysler, Hyundai and Mitsubishi. Hyundai has yet to use the GEMA engine in any of it’s cars, while DaimlerChrysler’s now-sold-off Chrysler used it as it’s flagship 2.0-2.4 liter.

The GEMA engine is called the 4B1x series in Mitsubishi terms, and the 2.0 liter model that we will see in the 2008 Lancer is the 4B11, with the Lancer Evolution getting the 4B11T. It is probably the first time a non-Sirius engine has been used in a Lancer Evolution. All Evolutions, from the Evo I to the Evo IX used some variant of the Sirius 4G63T, with the latest in the Evo IX getting MIVEC variable valve timing.

The 4B11 is a 4-cylinder DOHC engine with MIVEC variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves, making it somewhat equivalent to Toyota’s Dual VVT-i. In it’s US market application, it makes 152 horsepower at 6,000rpm (143 horsepower in California because of higher emission regulations) and 198Nm of torque at 4,250rpm, with 176Nm available from 2,500rpm. The 4B11 uses a new aluminium cylinder block as well as an aluminium cylinder head. A timing chain is used instead of a timing belt.

While most engines are usually either bore-biased (rev-happy) or stroke-biased (better torque), the new 4B11 is a “square” engine - it has a bore and stroke that both measure 86mm, giving a good balance of rev-happiness and good torque. It uses as compression ratio of 10.0:1, but can still use RON92 (87 AKI) fuel.

The MIVEC system uses valve overlap to reduce pumping losses under normal conditions, but under high engine speed conditions where maximum power is needed, intake valve closing time is retarded to allow for larger air volume. In a similar high load condition but at low engine speeds, intake valve closing is advanced instead, ensuring sufficient air volume, but exhaust valve opening is retarded to provide a higher expansion ratio and improved efficiency.

To ensure stable idling, valve overlap is eliminated during idle conditions. As previously mentioned, this version of MIVEC can adjust both intake and exhaust valves independently for maximum flexibility in valve control.

Mitsubishi has employed a 4-point inertial axis system with cylindrical hydraulic engine mounts on the left and right sides to help reduce engine vibration, ensuring smooth and quiet operation. On the right side mount where the engine is, a lightweight, high-rigidity squeeze-cast aluminium bracket helps reduce engine noise under acceleration. On the left side where the transmission is, a similar lightweight, high-rigidity plate bracket made of steel helps reduce gear noise. For the front and rear engine mounts, a custom-tuned insulator helps control both idle vibration and acceleration shock.

The engine can be mated to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a CVT transmission with 6 virtual gears that are selectable using paddle shifts on the steering wheel. Mitsubishi picked 6 gears (in reality because they are unlimited to pick from, you could have 50 CVT virtual gears if you wanted) because it offered the best balance of ease of use, sporty driving, and flexible performance.

The 5-speed manual is an improvement over the old 5-speed transmission - the third and fourth gears now use double-cone synchronisers for smoother shifting and a new honing process was used to reduce noise. The gear ratios have also been adjusted to suit the torque curve of the new engine.

The CVT transmission’s ratio range is from 2.349 to 0.394, with infinite variations in between, which gives wider ratios than the previous 4-speed auto that had a ratio spread of 2.842 to 0.712. A much higher achievable overdrive ensures good fuel economy and lower engine speed for highway cruising. The INVECS-III software in the CVT customises shift patterns on the fly to match the acceleration and brake patterns of the driver. If you select the L mode, the INVECS-III software shifts to allow for more engine braking if the car has to go down slopes.

Something alot of people miss when switching from conventional fixed ratio gearing to CVTs is the lurching feel when you floor the pedal from a stand still. The way a CVT-equipped car starts may be interpreted as sluggish by our minds - this is known as the rubber band effect. INVECS-III can simulate this lurching that the driver expects.

Anyway, this engine looks like a very modern engine with a gearbox combination that promises to be great for both city and highway driving. You’ve got ample amounts of torque from a low 2,500rpm for a comfortable city drive, plus a CVT to keep the revs at the sweet spot. You’ve got a good low maximum overdrive ratio of 0.394 for good highway fuel economy and a relaxed low engine speed cruise. Finally, for whenever you feel like driving spiritedly, there are the paddle shifters.

On paper, the Lancer’s drivetrain sounds good. An invite for the launch, Mitsubishi Malaysia?

UPDATE: Look at two videos after the jump explaining some technical details on the 4B11 as well as it’s matching INVECS-III CVT gearbox, thanks to reader Rikeys.